The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-08-25


was returning to
his gourbi, or hut, with faggot of dry
sticks on his shoulders, and whilst taking
a narrow path in the brushwood, found
himself suddenly thrown to the ground.
Looking up, he saw huge tail disap-
pearing in the bushes. The animal had
dealt him blow with its terrible paw,
but fortunately the faggot had preserved
him from worse injury. The spring had
been quite without warning. The num-
ber of cattle; sheep, goats, &C., this
panther had devoured during the year
was almost incredible. l at once chose
my ambuscade, and at sunset dismissed
about score of Arabs, who kept repeat
ing to Nabi, We shall only find that
mans bones tomorrow The spot Sc
lected was a rise of ground above
uneventfully. At dawn my Arabs came,
much astonished to find me safe and
sound
"They could not offer me coffee,
the tribe being too poor to possess a
grain, but, instead, whey, detestable
drink, served in dirty vessel, and little
calculated to restore man whose night
had been spent out of doors. Two or
three hours of sound sleep under bush
refreshed me much more. I woke fresh
and nimble, and was chatting with my
hosts when a horseman galloped up to
say that panther had that very morning
destroyed horse, two oxen and cow
property of aneighboring tribe. immedi-
ately betook myself to the scene of these
events. The victims lay within ten to
fifty yards, and had evidently been killed
instantaneously and without any strug-
gle. All were in their prime. Only por-
tions of the flesh had been consumed,
nevertheless hundred pounds or so
forming the panther's breakfast. This
carnage had taken place between eight
and nine o'clock that morning. Near
this spot was river, and somewhat fur
ther thicket, into which we could trace
the panther, 1t having retreated thither
to digest its food. l ordered the horse
and oxen to be carried away, but what
remained of the COW to be left, and near
these remains posted myself that night.
1t was now eight o'clock, and the moon,
though not full, gave abundant light for
my purpose. l soon heard the panther
coming, uttering roars. which ! knew
must belong to an animal strong and
remains of the COW shifting. I waited
to take aim till its head should be turned
to me but, without touching the carrion,
1t betook itself back from whence it
came. Immediately after jackal ar
rived, attracted by the smell of the car
rion, and at once summoned Its friends
to the feast. A moment later ! heard
the sound of fall and a cry, and a few
minutes after the same noise some yards
off. Then there was complete stiffness
and darkness for the rest of the night.
when morning came the Arabs ap-
peared. and we went in search of the
jackals; both lay dead on the spots
from which the noise had come. Now, l
felt convinced that such panther as
this was not to be caught with the bait
of Yesterdays feast, although the Arabs
again and again had asseverated the con-
trary. The fact Is, they confused the
adult panther, always delicate feeder,
with other animals resembling 1.-THE
ounce, tiger, cat, &c. Once more, how
ever. made the experiment, though fel:
sure it would prove failure, and at night
posted myself alone near the remains
Of the COW. True enough, soon after
nightfall the panther made his appear
ance, shifting as before. Ibegan to think
that the Arabs were right, but no such
thing Having shifted at the carrion,
without giving me time to take aim, II
vanished as It had come. spent the
night in bewailing my credulity and
weakness. A little before dawn the
Arabs came to tell me that the panther
had carried of goat close by; that the
dogs had climbed to the roofs of the
gourbis, barking furiously; that the
women had lighted fires, and ell had
been In terrible commotion. This depre-
dation Of the panther had been committed
before their very eyes. A third night
watched for the enemy, having this time
live goat with me, but the panther came
NO more. 1t had evidently abandoned
the spot. Ithen in the morning, ON hands
and knees, forced my way into the dense
brushwood whither the animal had re-
tired to digest its food. ! could trace its
footmsrks to the water many times, prov
ing that 1t had drunk frequently. A
further night was NO more successful, and
bad weather and fatigue compelled me to
return to Algiers.
1--WE were dining st eight o'clock on
the eve Of the hunt, when an Arab came
in hot haste to tell 10 that the panther
had that very day st sunset carried OF .
goat close by under the nose OF the shop
herd, and that the animal had been seen
TO disappear In . ravine. ] did not stop
to hnish my dinner, but, although ths
Night was dark and unfayorsble. aS onoe
pTSpared 70 ~ o6. The Arab who m
0arSook = shoW ~ The way took : ohort
ont throuGh ~ hguahVood. NJ hnnt-